The Back of the Moon, before being an organization, was a song that Miriam Makeba performed in the musical King Kong in 1959. It was the name of a night spot in Johannesburg behind a shanty compound where people danced away the struggles of daily life.

The musical was monumental in its ability to unify individuals from all walks of life: "King Kong was an artistic collaboration between black people and white people on a scale that had never before been considered possible in South Africa. It was a story about black lives that gripped the imaginations of people of all races."

Now, The Back of the Moon is a place designed to showcase individuals whose determination, perseverance and creative vision have helped strengthen their communities.

Working in partnership with other Canadian groups, our goal is to foster hope and understanding in order to ease social hardship and economic dependence in nations around the globe. Many countries are waging internal battles with disease, hunger and lack of opportunity. But despite their disadvantages there are individuals whose conviction leads them to better their lives and the lives of those around them.